"Online prostitution is not governed by the Criminal Code and the Electronic Information and Transaction [ITE] Law," said the head of the Jakarta Police's cyber-crime sub-directorate at the special crimes directorate, Adj. Sr. Comr. Hilarius Duha, as quoted by kompas.com.

However, he said there were a number of situations in which sex workers and consumers could be charged.

He made his comments in the wake of the murder of a sex worker who was engaging in online solicitation, in Tebet, South Jakarta. The police had arrested the killer.

"First, if the sex workers were still underage, the customers could be slapped with articles from the Children Protection Law," said Hilarius.

"Even if the underage sex workers are working of their own free will, the law regulates against exploiting children."

Hilarius added that sex workers who put sexually explicit pictures on social media could be charged using the Pornography Law, while pimps managing sex workers could be charged using existing regulations.

If any of the parties are married, they can be charged for adultery, he added.

Previously, it was reported in November 2014 that solicitation for prostitution in Surabaya had moved online following the closure of the Dolly red-light district, even though the report was denied by the Surabaya City Police.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Police arrested two men and one woman in December 2012 for running an online prostitution business with five sex workers in South Jakarta. (fsu)(+++)

Popular

Indonesia not affected by Southeast Asia-wide heat wave: BMKG

Residents fear for safety as Mount Ruang volcano erupts

In defense of Indonesian democracy